Twitch Introduces Hype Chat: Pay to Pin Messages for Greater Visibility

Twitch has just unveiled a new feature called Hype Chat, allowing viewers to pay to have their messages pinned to the top of a streamer’s chat. This guarantees a higher chance of visibility and attention for the messages, even in fast-moving chats.

While the concept seems straightforward, Hype Chat raises concerns about potential misuse and harassment. Some worry that abusive or discriminatory messages could be pinned by nefarious or mean viewers, leading to their maximum visibility. This could potentially open the door for constant harassment towards streamers.

Twitch, however, reassures that Hype Chat is designed with safety in mind. The feature will be complemented by chat moderation settings and other “bespoke safety settings” to protect streamers and viewers from abuse.

It’s worth noting that Twitch’s chat system has had issues in the past. For example, there have been instances where viewers jump from stream to stream, fueling drama and creating a toxic environment. The introduction of Hype Chat raises concerns about these problems escalating further.

At launch, Hype Chat will only be available to Partners, alongside other monetization options like subs, bits, and gifts.

On a different note, Twitch’s recent declaration of “kissing or licking a microphone” as sexual content has also garnered attention.